Another Word For It Patrick Durusau on Topic Maps and Semantic Diversity

June 25, 2012

Google search parameters in 2012

Filed under: Search Engines,Search Interface,Searching — Patrick Durusau @ 3:02 pm

Google search parameters in 2012

From the post:

Knowing the parameters Google uses in its search is not only important for SEO geeks. It allow you to use shortcuts and play with the Google filters. The parameters also reveal more juicy things: Is it safe to share your Google search URLs or screenshots of your Google results? This post argues that it is important to be aware of the complicated nature of the Google URL. As we will see later posting your own Google URL can reveal personal information about you that you might not feel too comfortable sharing. So read on to learn more about the Google search parameters used in 2012.

Why do I say “in 2012″? Well, the Google URL changed over time and more parameters were added to keep pace with the increasing complexity of the search product, the Google interface and the integration of verticals. Before looking at the parameter table below, though, I encourage you to quickly perform the following 2 things:

  1. Go directly to Google and search for your name. Look at the URL.
  2. Go directly to DuckDuckGo and perform the same search. Look at the URL.

This little exercise serves well to demonstrate just how simple and how complicated URLs used by search engines can look like. These two cases are at the opposing ends: While DuckDuckGo has only one search parameter, your query, and is therefore quite readable, Google uses a cryptic construct that only IT professionals can try to decipher. What I find interesting is that on my Smartphone, though, the Google search URL is much simpler than on the desktop.

This blog post is primarily aimed at Google’s web search. I will not look at their other verticals such as scholar or images. But because image search is so useful, I encourage you to look at the image section of the Unofficial Google Advanced Search guide

The tables of search parameters are a nice resource.

Suggestions of similar information for other search engines?

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